Electroplating apparatus



F. e. PURINTONQ ELECTROPLAT|NG APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 1920.

1,359,273, A A PatefitedNov. 16,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

17 INVENTKOR A TTOR/VEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FORREST GRANVILLE PURINTON, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOIR, TO THE PATENT BUTTON COMPANY, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF connncrronm.

ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

' Specification of Letters Patent. Patnted N 16 1920 Application filed February 25, 1920. Serial No. 361,114.

T 0 all whom it may 0011 new:

Be it known that I, Fonnnsr G. PURINTON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of WVaterbury, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have made and invented certain new and useful Improvements in-Electroplating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electroplating mechanism, and particularly to that class known as plating-barrels.

An object of my invention is to provide an electroplating-barrel apparatus wherein the rotating drum or barrel may be easily and readily raised above and to one side of the plating solution, so as to provide for the easy and ready emptying or recharging of the plating-barrel.

A further object is to accomplish the aforementioned ends in such manner that a single operator is able to move the plating barrel above and to one side of the plating tank, discharge the plated articles from the barrel, refill the barrel and again lower it into the plating solution.

A further object is to provide an electric plating apparatus wherein the tank or tub is provided with an elevating mechanism for moving the barrel or drum up out of the solution and beyond one end of the tank, thus dispensing with the usual hoist and overhead trolley.

A further object is to provide a simple and efiicient mechanism whereby the platingbarrel is mounted for rotation while immersed in the electroplating solution, may be easily and quickly moved into position for enga ement with an elevating track and capa le of mountingthe track and move above and to one side of the tank when forcibly and manually rotated. A further object is to accomplish the aforementioned ends and at the same time provide means whereby the plating barrel is prevented from moving in a longitudinal direction, so that it will always remain in proper position for mounting the elevating tracks when it is desired to either empty or recharge the same.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawmgs, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my novel electro plating apparatus, the plating barrel being illustrated in its lowered posit1on and immersed in the electro plating solution.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the foregoing. Flg. 3 is a View in longitudinal section lllustrating the plating barrel in its elevated position.

Fig. 4 is a detail view in section taken on the line 4""4: of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail View in section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2 illustrating the operation of the lateral shifting mechanism for the rotating drum or barrel.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental view in section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 illustrating the manner in which the tumbling barrel is held and mounted for free rotation at the upper extremity of its elevated position, an

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the elevating track wherein the teeth of the track are formed integral with the upstanding sides.

Referring specifically to the several views, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout, the tank or electrolyte container 10, is provided at its top with the bearing supporting plates 11, and upon which rest the bearing bushings 12, which in turn rotatively support the tumbling barrel shaft or axle 13. Theshaft is rigidly secured to, and supports the tumbling barrel 14, overhangs the sides of the tank 10, and is provided at its one extremity with the driving sprocket wheel 15; A chain 16 extends around the sprocket wheel and rotates the tumbling barrel during the plating operation.

The bearing bushings 12, which rotatively support the shaft 13 merely rest upon the supporting plates 11, so as to allow the ing of the barrel, the bearing bushings areprovided with the ribs 17, which fit within grooves 18, formed in the supporting plates 11.- The barrel is held in lateral position upon the bearing supporting plates by the links or arms 19, the ends of which are rotatively secured to the barrel shaft and the opposite extremities are connected to the cross-bar 20. This cross-bar moves within suitable cam slots 21, formed in the plates '22, the latter being rigidly secured to the tub or container 10 as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. Thus as the cross-bar is raised or lowered in the cam slots 21, the barrel is moved laterally along the tank, but due to the ribs and grooves 17, 18, always main tains its proper alinement therein.

Securely fixed to the sides of the tub are the upwardly extending elevating supports or tracks 23, the same being provided with the sprocket engageable chains 24, extending along their periphery. with the chains 24 and adapted to elevate or raise the tumbling barrel are the sprocket wheels 25, securely-fastened to the shaft 13, and positioned upon the outside of each of the bearing bushings 12. These sprocket wheels are so spaced that theywill, upon the lateral movement of the plating barrel engage the chains 24, and upon the forced rotation of the shaft by a suitable hand Wheel 26, cause the plating barrel to climb up the rails or supports 23 and in so doing become elevated above and located beyond the top of the tank or receptacle 10.

The plating barrel is provided with the removable segments or doors 27, and in order that these may be brought in convenient and readily accessible position and in order to hold the barrel in its elevated position, I have provided the upper extremities of the supports 23, with what I term disengaging plates 28, the same being comparatively thin in cross section and adapted to contact with and engage grooves 29 formed in the hubs of the sprockets 25. The supporting edges of the disengaging plates are substantially horizontal through out the majority of their length and then curve sharply upward, so as to form the abutments 30. The rails or supports 24 are curved slightly downward adjacent the disengaging plates, so that as the hubs of the sprocket wheels 25 come into contact with the disengaging plates, the weight of the barrel is gradually removed from the chains and sprocket wheels, and is transferred to the hubs of the sprocket wheels andto the disengaging plates. The further movement and rotation of the barrel results in the dis- Cooperatingengagement of the-sprocket Wheels an chains allowing the barrel to freely rotate and without danger of passing beyond the ends of the disengaging plates, due to the presence of the abutments or stops 30. i

In order to lower the plating barrel from its elevated position shown in Fig. 3, the hand wheel is forcibly turned in the reverse direction, causing the barrel to move along the disengaging plates, until the small sprocket wheels again engage the chains 24.

In'order to allow the rail chains 24 to give slightly, I have connected their lower extremities 31 to the resilient arms or sprin s 32. Thus should the plating-barrel rapi ly pass down the elevating rails 23 and continue to rotate upon striking the supporting plates 11, the chains 24 would be prevented from breaking as they would be allowed to move slightly upward by the retraction of the springs 32. After the plating barrel has passed to its lowered position and rests upon the supporting plates 11, the cross-bar 20 is forcibly raised, moving the plating-barrel laterally along the supporting plates and disengaging the small sprocket wheels and chains. Suitable spring latches 33 are secured to the tub and are adapted to engage and hold the cross-bar in its elevated position and accordingly hold the plating-barrel in position for free rotation. The main driving chain 16 which had been removed prior to elevating or raising of the plating-barrel-is again passed around the main driving sprocket 15 and thereby provides for the further plating operation. It is to be noted in this connection that I have also found it feasible to elevate the drum by the action of the driving chain 16.

Thus when it isdesired to elevate and discharge the ingredients of the drum. the latches 33 are moved outwardly and the cross bar 20 moved forcibly downward. This draws the sprocket wheels 25 into engagement with the chains 24 and the forced rotation of the drum by the driving chains 16 causes the barrel to ascend the elevating rails and to move therealong until the sprocket wheels 25 are raised above and out of contact with the chain 24.

Secured to the tank 10 and mounted directly below the plating-barrel when the latter is in its elevated position is the funnel or hopper 34, adapted to receive the plated contents of the drum or barrel 14, and guide thesame into a receiving receptacle. The

elevating supports 23 and the raising chains 24 may, if desired, be formed as a single casting, such as illustrated in Fig. 7 From the foregoing it. will be apparent that a single operator is able to raise the platingbarrel from the tank, discharge the plated contents, refill the same, and then return it to the electroplating solution. Further these operations may be performed in a quick and efiicient manner, providing forthereby elevate said barrel above said tank.

2. An electroplating apparatus comprising a tank, a plating barrel, elevating ralls extending above said tank, means for holding said barrel out of engagement with said rails for the free rotation of the barrel, sald means adapted to move said barrel into engagement with said elevating rails, and cooperating means carried by said rails and said barrel adapted to cause the barrel to roll along said elevating rails when rotated.

3. A plating apparatus comprising a tank, a 'plating barrel, inclined elevating rails carried by said tank, said plating barrel adapted to roll along the upper edges of Said elevating rails, means for holding said plating barrel out of engagement with said elevating rails and providing for the free rotation of said platin barrel, said means adapted to draw said p ating barrel into engagement with said elevating rails, means carried by said elevating rails and said plating barrel whereby the rotation of said barrel causes the same to roll along said elevating rails and tomove above the said tank, and means for rotatably supporting the plating barrel when located at the upper extremity of said elevating rails.

l. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tank, a plating-barrel therefor, means for holding said plating-barrel against longitudinal shifting and allowmg the lateral movement thereof, elevating rails carried by said tank, cooperating means carried by said barrel and said rails adapted to cause the positive movement of the barrel by said rails when rotated while being in engagement therewith, and means engaging said barrel adapted to laterally shift the same into engagement with and out of engagement with the said rails.

5. An electro-plating apparatus comprising a tank, a plating-barrel, elevating rails or supports carried by said tank, means engaging said barrel and said tank, allowing the rotation of said barrel, allowing the lateral shifting thereof and holding the barrel against longitudinal shifting, links engaging said barrel and said tank adapted to hold said barrel out of engagement with said elevating rails, said links also adapted to draw said barrel into engagement with said rails, means carried by said barrel and said rail for causing the positive moving of the barrel along said ra1l when the former is rotated.

6. An electro-plating apparatus comprising a tank, a plating-barrel, elevating rails or supports carried by said tank, means engaging said barrel and said tank, allowing the rotation of said barrel, allowing the lateral shifting thereof and holding the barrel against longitudinal shifting, links engaging said barrel and said tank adapted to hold said barrel out of engagement with said elevating rails, said links also adapted to draw said barrel into engagement with said rails, means carried by said barrel and said rail for causing the positive moving of the barrel along said rail when the former is rotated, and disengaging plates carried at the upper extremities of said rails, providing for the free rotation of the barrel when mounted thereon and limiting travel of said barrel.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tank, a plating-barrel therefor, provided with a shaft projecting beyond the ends thereof, a main driving wheel mounted upon said shaft, a hand wheel mounted upon said shaft, bearing bushings mounted upon said shaft resting upon the top of said tank, rotatively supporting said barrel and holding the latter against longitudinal shifting and allow the lateral shiftin thereof, cam plates mounted upon said tan links engaging said cam plates and rotatively secured to said shaft, elevating supports mounted upon said tank, toothed wheels mounted upon said shaft and positively engaging the periphery of said elevating supports adapt- .ed to cause the barrel to positively move along the said supports when said barrel is rotated, said links adapted to hold said toothed wheels in engagement with or away from said elevating supports.

8. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tank, a plating-barrel therefor, provided with a shaft projecting beyond the ends thereof, a main driving wheel mounted upon said shaft, a hand wheel ;mounted upon said shaft, bearing bushings mounted upon said shaft resting upon the top of said tank, rotatively'supporting said barrel and holding the latter against longitudinal shifting and allow the lateral shift ing thereof, cam plates mounted upon said tank, links engaging said cam plates and rotatively secured to said shaft, elevating supports mounted upon said tank, toothed wheels mounted upon said shaft and positively engaging the periphery of said elevating supports adapted to cause the barrel to positively move along the said sup or'ts when said barrel is rotated, said links a apted to hold said toothed wheels in engagement with or away from said elevating supports, and disengaging plates mounted at the upper extremity of said elevating supports adapted to disengage the toothed wheels and the elevating supports provide for the free rotation of said barrel.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tank a plating barrel therefor provided with a shaft projecting beyond the end thereof, a main driving wheel mounted upon said shaft, inclined elevating rails mounted upon said tank, toothed wheels mounted upon said shaft and engaging the periphery of said elevating rails and adapted to cause the barrel to roll along the said rails when said barrel is rotated, links rotatably engaging the shaft of said plating barrel and adapted to holdsaidtoothed wheels out of engagement with said elevating rails and adapted to draw said toothed Wheels into en agement with said elevating rails.

bigned at Waterbury, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, this 20th day of February, A. D. 1920.

FORREST GRANVILLE PURINTON.

Witnesses I LEWIS J. HART, L. BEGG. 

